Northwest WI Downtowns

Hurley

Hurley’s downtown is rich with history and its famous Silver Street for the most part has been a lively fun street for more than 130 years. Unlike most northern Wisconsin communities that started with logging, Hurley sprang to life because of iron. When the railroad arrived in 1884, about 300 people lived in Hurley who mined a few open pits. Within six months the population grew to 3,000 and iron ore mining got into full swing. The first building on Silver Street was a tavern as Hurley was long known for gambling and prostitution. During the height of prohibition Hurley ignored federal laws and remained a hospitable community and drew visitors like Al and Ralph Capone, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Today Hurley celebrates its history with a revitalized streetscape that remembers the colorful past.

Things to do and see
• Iron County Historical Museum-extensive collection of displays, rag rug weaving and sales, listed on National Register of Historic Places
• Silver Street-street level storefronts and clubs once served miners and lumberjacks. Today a variety of stores serve shoppers and the taverns mean when 51 ends the fun begins.
• Supper Clubs-the Hurley area has a long history of offering fine dinning and Italian cuisine.
• Snowmobile and ATV Trailhead-access all of downtown Hurley on the Iron Horse Trail while your recreating in the summer or winter.
• Iron County Farmers Market-produce, crafts, maple syrup, and honey are all locally grown, produced and handcrafted
• Wisconsin Welcome Center- see mining displays and get information on your travels.
• Riverfront Park- watch the Montreal River work its way to Lake Superior.
• Plummer Mine- just west of Hurley, the 80 foot headframe is the only remaining headframe in Wisconsin honoring miners and their families. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Montreal Company Town- just west of Hurley, Montreal is the only planned mining town in Wisconsin. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Little Finland- Special celebrations feature finnish dancers and gifts in the Gift Shop. The building is made of timbers from the Ashland ore docks.
• Waterfalls-within a short drive of downtown, see a variety of waterfalls with up to a 90 foot drop.
Events to watch and participate in
• ATV Rallys- start the season with the Memorial Day rally, one of the largest in the country and end the season with the Pumpkin Run in October on over 200 miles of rails and routes.
• Heritage Festival- two weeks packed with events celebrating the areas Heritage.
• Historic Walking tour of Downtown- a show featuring 1800’s costumes lets you relive Silver Street during the days of mining and logging.
• Festival Italiano- arts, crafts and a variety of Italian food all along Silver Street.
• Paavo Nurmi Marathon- Wisconsin’s oldest marathon with 40 years of tradition finishing on Silver Street.
• 4th of July Fireworks- a wonderful display over Lake Michelle.
• Winterfest- a variety of snowmobile events from trail riding, oval races, snowcross and extreme.

For more information visit www.ironcountywi.com or www.hurleywi.com


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		Hurley Hurley’s downtown is rich with history and its famous Silver Street for the most part has been a lively fun street for more than 130 years. Unlike most northern Wisconsin communities that started with logging, Hurley sprang to life because of iron. When the railroad arrived in 1884, about 300 people lived in Hurley who mined a few open pits. Within six months the population grew to 3,000 and iron ore mining got into full swing. The first building on Silver Street was a tavern as Hurley was long known for gambling and prostitution. During the height of prohibition Hurley ignored federal laws and remained a hospitable community and drew visitors like Al and Ralph Capone, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson. Today Hurley celebrates its history with a revitalized streetscape that remembers the colorful past. Things to do and see • Iron County Historical Museum-extensive collection of displays, rag rug weaving and sales, listed on National Register of Historic Places • Silver Street-street level storefronts and clubs once served miners and lumberjacks. Today a variety of stores serve shoppers and the taverns mean when 51 ends the fun begins. • Supper Clubs-the Hurley area has a long history of offering fine dinning and Italian cuisine. • Snowmobile and ATV Trailhead-access all of downtown Hurley on the Iron Horse Trail while your recreating in the summer or winter. • Iron County Farmers Market-produce, crafts, maple syrup, and honey are all locally grown, produced and handcrafted • Wisconsin Welcome Center- see mining displays and get information on your travels. • Riverfront Park- watch the Montreal River work its way to Lake Superior. • Plummer Mine- just west of Hurley, the 80 foot headframe is the only remaining headframe in Wisconsin honoring miners and their families. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Montreal Company Town- just west of Hurley, Montreal is the only planned mining town in Wisconsin. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Little Finland- Special celebrations feature finnish dancers and gifts in the Gift Shop. The building is made of timbers from the Ashland ore docks. • Waterfalls-within a short drive of downtown, see a variety of waterfalls with up to a 90 foot drop. Events to watch and participate in • ATV Rallys- start the season with the Memorial Day rally, one of the largest in the country and end the season with the Pumpkin Run in October on over 200 miles of rails and routes. • Heritage Festival- two weeks packed with events celebrating the areas Heritage. • Historic Walking tour of Downtown- a show featuring 1800’s costumes lets you relive Silver Street during the days of mining and logging. • Festival Italiano- arts, crafts and a variety of Italian food all along Silver Street. • Paavo Nurmi Marathon- Wisconsin’s oldest marathon with 40 years of tradition finishing on Silver Street. • 4th of July Fireworks- a wonderful display over Lake Michelle. • Winterfest- a variety of snowmobile events from trail riding, oval races, snowcross and extreme. For more information visit www.ironcountywi.com or www.hurleywi.com